Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT)

Hope. Healing. Recovery.

Addiction is a treatable medical condition. Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) are proven, lifesaving treatments that reduce cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, and help people stay in recovery.

What is MAT?

Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) use FDA-approved medicines, prescribed and supervised by a health care provider, to treat substance use disorders. Specifically, medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) have the following impact:

• Long term solution to improve the overall quality of life
• Reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• Can be used alone or alongside other types of treatment
• Blocks the euphoric effects of opioids
• Helps people stay in recovery longer
• Lowers the risk of overdose
• Reduces the spread of infectious diseases 

The Alaska MAT Guide supports all Alaskans with practical tools, resources, and guidance to bring MAT into their communities. 

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

How Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Medications Work in the Brain

Get Help

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. 

• Call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 
• Call Alaska Careline at 877-266-4357 for 24/7 support 
• Find Naloxone: Project Hope Overdose Response Program
• Treatment Locator: Substance Use Disorder Services in Alaska FindTreatment.gov 

Why MAT Matters in Alaska 

• Alaska has one of the highest rates of substance use disorder in the U.S.
• In 2023, Alaska experienced its highest overdose death rate ever recorded
• Most overdose deaths involve fentanyl — a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin
• People who receive MAT are 2.5 times less likely to die than those who do not

MAT works — and it’s critical to saving lives in our state. 

For Providers

The MAT Guide helps providers: 

• Understand how to integrate medications for opioid use disorder into practice
• Address stigma in clinical care
• Navigate regulatory and administrative requirements
• Connect patients to recovery supports
• Access mentoring, training, and technical assistance 

For Communities & Families 

Recovery is possible when we support each other. Families, schools, and communities play a role in breaking stigma and encouraging treatment. 

• MAT helps people return to their families, jobs, and communities
• Providers, schools, and caregivers can all help connect people to care

Preventing addiction in our youth

Teaching kids about "protective factors", like making healthy choices, positive friendships, and community support, are proven to reduce the risk of developing addictions in the first place. Check out "Hope the Husky and friends", who teaches kids through fun, engaging activities, aimed to increase resiliency, connections, and overall mental health over their lifetime.

Upcoming Events

Around Alaska

The annual Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) Conference brings together healthcare providers, policymakers, peers, researchers, and community partners from across Alaska and beyond to share strategies, stories, and solutions for treating opioid use disorder. The 9th annual MAT Conference will take place virtually from October 21 to 23, 2025.

Learn more and register: https://matconference.com/

Across the Nation

The 2025 American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, Inc. (AATOD) conference theme is “The Evolving Field of Opioid Treatment.”

October 4-8, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA

Learn more and register:  aatodconference.com

Rx Summit 2026 is where those committed to change come together, from federal leaders to grassroots advocates, researchers to clinicians, and first responders to families. As we mark 15 years of progress, we reaffirm our shared mission: To save lives. Restore hope. And keep pushing forward together.

April 6-9, 2026 | Nashville, TN

Learn more and register: https://www.hmpglobalevents.com/rx-summit

The NAADAC Annual Conference (also known as “Unite”) brings together addiction professionals from across the U.S. for three days of immersive training and networking. Attendees can earn addiction-specific continuing education (CE) credits, attend interactive workshops, panel sessions, poster presentations, and explore the exhibit hall.

October 11-13, 2025 | Seattle, WA

Learn more and register: https://www.naadac.org/annualconference

Resources